America's Cup opening day draws big crowd

Throngs flock to the waterfront as the sun shines on July Fourth festivities kicking off the premier regatta

Updated 11:24 pm, Thursday, July 4, 2013

Melanie Leach, visiting San Francisco from Kentucky, was gearing up to have the perfect Bay Area Fourth of July.

She started her bright, warm Thursday afternoon gawking at the mega-yachts parked at the America's Cup village. Later, after a beer, she'd head to the roof of her brother's Marina pad to watch the sailboats cruise the bay and then - maybe after another beer - the fireworks.

"Yeah, I don't see a whole lot of sailing in Kentucky, so it is really nice to come out here and check this out," she said. "My brother lives in the Marina, so he invited us out to watch the race and the fireworks.

"Golly, this is nice," she added after a pause.

Tens of thousands of Independence Day revelers braved the fourth day of the BART strike and flocked to the waterfront to soak up the afternoon sun, celebrate the official opening of the America's Cup race season and, after all that, ogle the fireworks show.

Misa Malone of Beach Blanket Babylon belts out "San Francisco" during the opening day ceremony at America's Cup Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday July 4, 2013. America's Cup Park opens along the Embarcadero at Pier 23 launching the first day of the summer of racing. less

Misa Malone of Beach Blanket Babylon belts out "San Francisco" during the opening day ceremony at America's Cup Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday July 4, 2013. America's Cup Park opens along the ... more

Anne Ozanne, from France wears a US flag in her hat during the opening day ceremony at America's Cup Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday July 4, 2013. America's Cup Park opens along the Embarcadero at Pier 23 launching the first day of the summer of racing. less

Anne Ozanne, from France wears a US flag in her hat during the opening day ceremony at America's Cup Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday July 4, 2013. America's Cup Park opens along the Embarcadero at ... more

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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Rita and Rick Montalvan of Mill Valley relax under a poster of the Oracle racing team at the newly opened America's Cup Park, in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday July 4, 2013. America's Cup Park opens along the Embarcadero at Pier 23 launching the first day of the summer of racing. less

Rita and Rick Montalvan of Mill Valley relax under a poster of the Oracle racing team at the newly opened America's Cup Park, in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday July 4, 2013. America's Cup Park opens along ... more

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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Anthony Gabrielle visiting from Seattle takes a photo in the newly open America's Cup Park during the grand opening in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday July 4, 2013. America's Cup Park opens along the Embarcadero launching the first day of the summer of racing. less

Anthony Gabrielle visiting from Seattle takes a photo in the newly open America's Cup Park during the grand opening in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday July 4, 2013. America's Cup Park opens along the ... more

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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Visitors stream into America's Cup Park during the grand opening in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday July 4, 2013. America's Cup Park opens along the Embarcadero launching the first day of the summer of racing. less

Visitors stream into America's Cup Park during the grand opening in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday July 4, 2013. America's Cup Park opens along the Embarcadero launching the first day of the summer of ... more

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee welcomes all to the city, in front is the America's Cup trophy, (left) along with the Louis Vuitton trophy, during the opening day ceremony at America's Cup Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday July 4, 2013. America's Cup Park opens along the Embarcadero launching the first day of the summer of racing. less

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee welcomes all to the city, in front is the America's Cup trophy, (left) along with the Louis Vuitton trophy, during the opening day ceremony at America's Cup Park in San Francisco, ... more

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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Team Emirates sails their AC-72 Racing Yacht Tower during a training session for the America's Cup competition in San Francisco on July 2, 2013. Opening ceremonies begin on July 4. AFP PHOTO/Josh EdelsonJosh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images less

Team Emirates sails their AC-72 Racing Yacht Tower during a training session for the America's Cup competition in San Francisco on July 2, 2013. Opening ceremonies begin on July 4. AFP PHOTO/Josh EdelsonJosh ... more

Photo: Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images

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Oracle Team USA crew members, including Shannon Falcone, (center) during the opening day ceremony at America's Cup Park on Thursday July 4, 2013, in San Francisco, Calif., watch a video to remember Artemis crew member Bart Simpson who lost his life during a practice sail on the Bay. America's Cup Park opens along the Embarcadero at Piers 27 and 29 launching the first day of the summer of racing. less

Oracle Team USA crew members, including Shannon Falcone, (center) during the opening day ceremony at America's Cup Park on Thursday July 4, 2013, in San Francisco, Calif., watch a video to remember Artemis crew ... more

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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San Francisco's Fourth of July fireworks show is visible through the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 4, 2013.

San Francisco's Fourth of July fireworks show is visible through the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 4, 2013.

"This is magnificent," Butkevich said, as dozens of sailboats bobbed by on the bay.

Michael Gapuz, 16, dragged his family all the way from Orlando to see the first days of the America's Cup regatta. The first competitive race will take place Sunday.

A competitive sailor himself, Gapuz has been following every detail of the race.

"I'm pretty sure New Zealand is going to win this year - they have the experience the other teams don't have," Gapuz said as he snapped pictures of the America's Cup boats.

Gapuz said he was especially excited this year's regatta would be held close to shore.

"Yeah, that's one of the reasons I came out here," he said. "That makes it so much more exciting."

Michael Weigart, 54, and his girlfriend Mary Huggins, 52, drove down from Santa Rosa late Wednesday to spend the Fourth walking the 3 miles from Fort Mason to the America's Cup Village before catching the fireworks.

"We have different schedules, so we don't really get much time off at the same time," Weigart said. "And we both had (Thursday) off, so we wanted to do something."

"I'm gonna die tomorrow at work, but it is worth it," Huggins said.

The pair made sure to stop for a tour at Liberty ship Jeremiah O' Brien, which carried troops and supplies in support of the D-Day invasion in World War II. It was, after all, Independence Day.

"We're car people, motorcycle people, so to see the engines on that thing - man," Weigart said.

"And to think what it's been through," Huggins added.

"This is such a beautiful city," Weigart said. "We really like it here."